Camogie legend Anna Geary has urged the public to get behind Special Olympics today.

Geary is backing Special Olympics Ireland’s big Collection Day, with the charity aiming to raise €650,000 in just 24 hours.

The money will be used to support the programme of sports and training that Special Olympics offers to 9,100 athletes in 360 clubs around the country.

Some 3,000 volunteers will be collecting in 250 locations all over Ireland and shaking buckets over the course of the today.

Matt English, CEO with Special Olympics Ireland, said: “Special Olympics is truly fortunate to have such fantastically loyal and dedicated supporters, from volunteers out shaking buckets to businesses from the corporate world.

"It is also heartening for everyone at Special Olympics to have the Women’s Gaelic Players Association, the Gaelic Players Assocation and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association support us this Collection Day.

"I am hoping that the general public comes out to support us in whatever way they can this Collection Day. Every single euro really does make a difference to our athletes.”